Monument to the dead

Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The monument to the dead of Sainte-Anne is a cenotaph located in the heart of the commune, on Victor Schœlcher Square. Established in 1949, it commemorates the soldiers who died during World War II, with particular attention to colonial troops. The female statue, symbolizing the Victory, is signed by sculptor Gilbert Privat, while the base features a rare bas-relief representing a black soldier, reflecting the commitment of the Guadeloupees to the conflict.

The monument was commissioned by the commune in 1949, in a post-Second World War context marked by the desire to pay tribute to the local victims. Its Art Deco style and its symbolic elements, such as the face of the black soldier, make it a distinctive work in Guadeloupe. He was listed as a historical monument by order of April 24, 2018, recognizing his heritage and memorial value.

The location of the monument on the central square of Sainte-Anne makes it a place of gathering and memory for the community. Its recent listing (2018) highlights the growing importance attached to the preservation of overseas memorials, often less represented in national protections. The choice of a black soldier on the bas-relief reflects a desire to represent the diversity of colonial fighters, an aspect still rare in monuments to the dead of the time.

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